MAN UTD are eyeing up three points against Newcastle as the Premier League returns this weekend.And Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to make his second debut, 12 years after leaving the club.
The Red Devils are also looking towards next summer’s transfer window, where they’re set to go back in for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
And one man who could sweeten the deal is former Hammers loanee Jesse Lingard, who has just rejected a new contract at Old Trafford.
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FER REAL
Bruno Fernandes is salivating at the prospect of linking up with international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd.
He told RTP3: “Us players are part of that confidence, we know what he can give us.
“Our focus and Cristiano’s, because of what I’ve already talked to him about, is to win what there is to win.
“Our goals remain and obviously, with Cristiano, we have one more reference to help us get closer to that.”
KICK IT OUT
Rio Ferdinand has revealed how his family “disintegrated” after seeing online racist abuse hurled at him and his brother Anton.
Ferdinand, 42, has been giving evidence to a joint committee of MPs and peers on how to improve the draft Online Safety Bill designed to tackle social media abuse.
On Wednesday, his brother Anton had told MPs he fears players could be driven to suicide by the racist online abuse.
Ferdinand spoke candidly about how the abuse has affected his family.
“When you sit at home and you look on there and there’s negative discrimination and prominent for you to see, self-esteem and your mental health is at risk,” he said.
“And again, it’s not just about that person, it’s the wider network of that person and what it does to family and friends.
“I’ve seen members of my family disintegrate at times, I’ve seen other sports stars’ family members taking it worse than the actual person who’s receiving the abuse.”
BRAZIL BAN
Simon Jordan has called on Premier League clubs not to back down under pressure from the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF).
The CBF have imposed a ban on Brazilian players playing in the Premier League this weekend after they were prevented from going on international duty.
But Jordan believes the clubs affected, of which Manchester United are one, should fight against the restriction.
He said on talkSPORT: “They’ve either got to stick on their position or you’ve got to back down.
“I’d stick to that position because if they’ve kicked up all that furore in the first place – what’s your resolution? Kick it into CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport], the ground would be smoothed over and everyone will be playing nicely for the next international break.
“I’d put FIFA to the test and see if they’re really gonna do this.”
DEADLINE DAY DONNY
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Donny van de Beek was close to a deadline day move to Everton.
He said on the Here We Go podcast: “Everton on deadline day were more than close to signing Van de Beek.
“They had an agreement with the player. They had a project to make him a starter, to give him some game time. Everton were prepared to sign Van de Beek on loan from United.
“He [van de Beek] is not so happy because he was not playing. In the first three matches, he hasn’t played a single minute.
“He wanted to understand what was going to happen and so with Everton prepared to sign him, it was a big chance for him.
“United wanted him to stay, but Everton were really close. Benitez wanted him, the whole board wanted him, so it was more than an idea. It was a done deal between Everton and Donny van de Beek, but Man Utd said no.”
NEXT FIVE
Here’s a look at Manchester United’s next five fixtures.
The clash against Young Boys represents the start of United’s Champions League campaign, while the trip to West Ham is in the Carabao Cup.
In the league the Red Devils face Newcastle, West Ham again and Aston Villa.
How many points are you expecting from those three games, United fans?
STAT ATTACK
Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to feature for Manchester United against Newcastle on Saturday.
And the last time he played against the Magpies at Old Trafford the Portuguese superstar didn’t disappoint.
In what turned out to be his last season for the club (2008/09) Ronaldo put on a show when Newcastle were the visitors to Manchester.
He scored a HAT-TRICK in his last home game against the Magpies in what was a 6-0 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Red Devils fans will certainly be hoping a repeat performance from CR7 this time out.
FED DEVILS
Sir Alex Ferguson has met up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David Gill for lunch.
The three once worked together at Manchester United, back when Solskjaer was a player.
Sir Alex Ferguson was manager during that spell with Gill acting as chief executive.
Now the trio have been photographed having lunch together ahead of United’s return to Premier League action on Saturday.
Also present at The Ivy in Spinningfields were United board members and club management, including Ed Woodward.
United technical director Darren Fletcher and club director Mike Edelson were also present.
BY GEORG
Georgina Rodriguez, girlfriend of CR7, has revealed she is set to star in a Netflix series about her life.
It will be called ‘I am Georgina’ and will follow the 27-year-old model, revealing to fans what it is like to live with one of the most famous sportsmen in the world.
It’s not yet clear when the reality series will be released, but she shared the exciting news to her 27.3million Instagram followers.
RON RARING TO GO
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to social media, posting a picture of him in Manchester United training ahead of Saturday’s clash against Newcastle.
He’s expected to make his second Manchester United debut for the Magpies visit of Old Trafford this weekend.
He posted the below photo and captioned the post: “New challenge, but always with the same goals!
“Let’s go #manchesterunited”
JOSTLING FOR JAMES
A number of Premier League clubs are reported to be interested in Fleetwood Town defender James Hill.
According to the Daily Record Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton have all sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action.
Football League World report Rangers, Burnley, Southampton, Leicester, Brentford, Millwall and Preston North End were all interested in a move for Hill during the summer but no suitable offers arrived for the centre-back.
And Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley knows his time at the club is coming to an end, saying: “He’s out of contract this summer, but we’re relaxed about his position because we’re entitled to compensation which will no doubt be significant.
“We’re at a stage now where we’re literally having to decline scouting requests because we’ve virtually got the entire Premier League coming along to watch him.”
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E-BUFF SAID
Gianluigi Buffon insists Cristiano Ronaldo was right to think about himself when making the shock decision to move from Juventus to Manchester United.
He told Radio anch’io Sport: “I don’t think the fans should be surprised. He has the reputation of a great professional who rightly thinks about himself a lot.
“In these three years he has contributed with great performances and scored many goals.
“I don’t see anything illogical in his choice to leave, he thought a lot about it.
“Juve are in a transition period, I don’t know if it’s generational or the skeleton. You pay a bit when these things happen.
“When you have a coach like [Massmiliano] Allegri, maybe you don’t reach the target, but you get close to it.”
‘HIT HIM’
Former Bolton Wanderers defender Nicky Hunt has revealed what it was like playing against Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese sensation made his first United debut.
CR7 was introduced as a second half substitute with the Red Devils leading Bolton 1-0, but they ended up thrashing their near Lancashire neighbours 4-0 thanks to the help of a young Ronaldo.
And Hunt told Sky Sports: “There was no preparation for what he did that day. He came on for them 20 minutes and turned the game around.
“We were 1-0 down and by the time the full-time whistle had been, it was 4-0 so what more can you say about the man himself.
“Phil Brown and Sam Allardyce were just saying ‘hit him’ every time he got the ball.
“That’s literally what I did. The first two tackles I smashed him and then he switched over to the other wing and caused absolute havoc on the left wing as well.
FULL OF PRAISE
Manchester United legend and Derby County manager has praised youngster Red Devils youngster Tahith Chong, who is currently on loan at Championship side Birmingham City.
In his pre-match press conference before Derby take on Birmingham, Rooney said: “He’s a good player.
“He’s a player who obviously went out to Germany last season, it didn’t quite come off for him there.
“Obviously, he’s a very talented player, he played against us in the preseason and yeah, he’s an impact player, he has good moments in the game.
“So, of course, we’ll have to be wary of him and make sure we’re on our toes and we’re defending well against him because if we give him time and space, then he’s a player who can really hurt you.”
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NET SPEND
Manchester United have a net spend of exactly £100million from the 2021 summer transfer window.
Dan James £25million exit to Leeds United recouped some of the money splashed on Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the Red Devils still didn’t have the highest net spend of the summer despite a busy summer of incomings.
‘REGULAR CONTACT’
Manchester United are one of a number of English clubs ‘in regular’ contact with Borussia Dortmund regarding a possible move for Jude Bellingham.
According to 90min, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are all keen on adding the 18-year-old midfielder to their ranks.
Liverpool have been linked with an £80million move for Bellingham, but Dortmund are reluctant to let Bellingham leave any time soon.
With his contract not expiring until 2025, the German giants are in a strong bargaining position when it comes to thrashing out a fee, and the England star will not come cheap.
‘FREE-KICKS OVER PENALTIES’
Bruno Fernandes is seemingly happy to let Cristiano Ronaldo take over from him as penalty taker for Manchester United.
But Fernandes has hinted he still wants to be the main man when it comes to free kicks.
The Portuguese international told BBC Sport: “I really like free-kicks.
“For me personally, free-kicks are something I practice and I want to get the reward of scoring.
“I prefer free-kicks over penalties.”
‘BEAUTIFUL GESTURE’
Former Manchester United man Diego Forlan has praised Edinson Cavani for giving up his no7 shirt for the returning Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cavani will now take the no21 shirt at Old Trafford after Dan James left for Leeds.
And Forlan told Chiamarsi Bomber: “It was a beautiful gesture.
“I’m happy he’s [Ronaldo] back in Manchester, he’s one of the strongest in history, it’s good that he’s back home.”
PREM PREDICTION
A supercomputer predicts Manchester City will retain their Premier League title this season – despite missing out on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United are expected to finish third by BonusCodeBets’ supercomputer, failing to improve on last season’s runners-up spot.
But the Red Devils’ prospects have improved following the signing of Ronaldo from Juventus – compared to a previous prediction.
The Portuguese foward’s return to Old Trafford sees Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s finish ahead of Liverpool in the eyes of the supercomputer.
GOOD TO GO
Here’s some snaps of CR7 in Manchester United training to wet your appetite for the weekend, Red Devils fans.
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COPACA-BAN-A
Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Leeds have been told they CANNOT play their Brazilian aces who skipped World Cup duty.
Fifa today informed the Prem clubs that the Brazilian FA had asked them to impose the “five day restriction” on the players who did not travel for the international break.
It means Liverpool will be without Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino for their game at Leeds on Sunday, with the home side set to be without Raphinha.
Manchester United’s Fred will miss both the home clash with Newcastle and the opening Champions League game at Young Boys.
And centre-back Thiago Silva will be absent for Chelsea’s game with Aston Villa and Euro tie with Zenit St Petersburg.
Champions City must also plan without Ederson and Gabriel Jesus at Leicester on Saturday.
BEST IN THE WORLD
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has revealed he believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he said: “When he’s fit, over the last couple of years he’s [Van Dijk] been the go-to guy.
“He had the biggest impact on a team, certainly in terms of centre-backs, over probably the last three years.
“Varane, I would say, is up there. Him and Varane, [Sergio] Ramos in previous years, as well, they have been the top boys.
“It’s that consistency and the ability to win. Varane is unrivalled alongside Ramos in terms of winning, but with the way his form has been over the last three years, Van Dijk has been immense, man, he’s been crazy.
“In terms of a signing, Raphael Varane for Manchester United… He’s what I’ve been asking for over the last three or four years, or five years.
“[Ruben] Dias has been great, but he only played last season. I’m talking about consistency over a number of years. Those guys are probably apart at the moment.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Manchester United are interested in signing West Ham star Declan Rice, according to reports.
It’s believed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have identified the England midfielder as their first-choice midfield target.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd will try to purchase Rice, 22, during next summer’s transfer window.
The Red Devils are said to have already discussed the ‘potential framework’ for a deal to sign the ex-Chelsea youth prospect.
Rice still has three years remaining on his Hammers contract and his £100MILLION valuation is likely to increase during this season.
The midfielder reportedly has no interest in signing a new deal in East London in an attempt to leave West Ham.
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RON THE RIGHT TRACK
Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United are closer to winning trophies following the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to the club website, he said: “We know the enthusiasm will be red hot, everyone knows Cristiano is in the house.
“Everyone is very confident and happy that he is back, the players too.
“We know what he can give us, and our focus, like Cristiano’s, is to win.
“With him, we know we are closer to winning [trophies].”
LACKING AMBITION
Ex-professional Trevor Sinclair believes Jesse Lingard should have returned to West Ham on a permanent deal.
The 28-year-old was linked with a move back to East London, but in the end stayed to fight for his play in Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s side.
But Sinclair told talkSPORT: “If he doesn’t get given them assurances and sign a new deal, then that says he’s not ambitious as a player.
“I’m slightly confused that he didn’t want to sign for West Ham permanently.
“He was loved there and was the main man. He played one time for Manchester United in 2021, but played 16 times for West Ham and got into double figures for goals and back in the England squad.
“Why would you not want to be in that environment?”
NOBODY BETTER THAN BRUNO
Bruno Fernandes has revealed his inspiration for taking a jump before striking a penalty dates back to his days with Serie A side Sampdoria.
Fernandes has scored 21 out of 22 times from twelve yards for United, but could be taken off penalty duty after Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
Bruno told MOTDx: “I usually shoot in a different way but when I was at Sampdoria, there was one coach who came to me and said to me at the time ‘You should try this!’
“Because in the past, there was some player who was playing for Sampdoria who would normally do that jump.
“I started training with that and it comes to be the best way to take the penalty.”
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